SOURCE: Bromiley, Geoffrey William. “Introduction—The Reformer,” “The Scholar,” and “Concluding Estimate.” In Thomas Cranmer: Theologian, pp. vii-xxviii, 1-11, and 97-103. London: Lutterworth Press, 1956.

In the following excerpt, Bromiley outlines Cranmer's achievements as a religious reformer and a theological scholar.

Introduction—the Reformer

By Shakespeare's classification Thomas Cranmer was one of those who have greatness thrust upon them. Neither by birth, training, connections, nor opportunity could he expect to play any great part in the affairs of church or nation. Born in 1489 at Aslockton in Nottinghamshire, the second son of a small squire he had little option but to seek a career in the ministry. His early education under a “marvellous severe and cruel schoolmaster”¹ was not helpful, for as a result “he lost much of that benefit of memory and audacity in his youth that by nature was given to him, which he could never recover”.² But...